One of the country’s health expert, Professor Jane Mallewa says there is substantial scientific evidence showing that vaccines have saved millions of lives in the country despite scepticism by some individuals.
These sentiments come as Malawi joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Immunisation Week which started on 24th April and ending on 30th April,2024.
Professor Mallewa said vaccines that people received helped to stop diseases by boosting the body’s defence mechanisms.
She further said vaccines also help in minimising health care costs that are associated with combating disease outbreaks like COVID-19 and Cholera in an unvaccinated population.
Professor Mallewa called upon the public to place trust in scientists who work tirelessly to develop vaccines, which over the years have helped to almost eradicate some diseases such as measles, smallpox, and polio.
She dismissed the common and unfounded claims that vaccines cause impotence or infertility.
And in a statement, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Samson Mndolo said the ministry is committed to improving and sustaining high immunisation coverage in the country with the goal of reaching many eligible people with the life-saving vaccines.
According to Mndolo, currently, vaccines are available in all government and CHAM health facilities.
By Alufisha Fischer
